Houston Crowns a Dream Spouse

By Vanshika Vipin

HOUSTON: Beauty pageants are often associated with young single women so when Bollywood Shake decided to organize the first ever Mrs. Bollywood Houston contest on Sept 6, at the Hilton Americas, even ABC13, Fox 26 and TV-Asia ran features on it.

Set in the elegantly designed ballroom decorated by Aslam and Abdul from Deco-Art, The show began with a performance by Bollywood Shake’s dance troupe to a medley of songs dedicated to the “Shades of Women”. Thereafter, Bollywood Shake Founder and CEO, Ruchika Dias introduced the dance troupe and invited the audience to participate in an interactive dance session Bollywood Shake style.

Once the audience got back in their seats, the judges for the pageant were introduced including the ravishing Raveena Tandon (who didn’t make her entry yet), Mauli Dave, Telugu Actor Mahesh Sriram, Amiralli Dodhiya of New York Life, Jahan and Hina Lakhani from Kaaya Salon, Rohit Garg from Parinaz Boutique. The Emcees of the show were introduced next – Syeda Haseena, an RJ on Houston’s NPR station and a contributor to Brown Girl Magazine and Syed Ali, an RJ with Sangeet Radio. The emcees set the proceedings going with Round 1 of the pageant choreographed by Raza Hasan where all 12 contestants were introduced in beautiful sarees sponsored by Parinaz boutique, they were accompanied by people who have inspired them for example some came with husbands and some with kids. A short video was also played for each contestant that included glimpses of their talent. This was followed by a spectacular performance by celebrity Bollywood singer and Houstonian Mauli Dave. Mauli sang Balam Pichkari, Dhating Naach, Mayya Mayya and her new single Papparra.

Then it was the turn of the boys as Mr. Bollywood pageant with 5 contestants were introduced and were invited to show their talents. Waqas Syed and Joy entertained the audience with their dancing, Parminder Singh showed his vocal skills and Abdul Jivani and Varun Gupta wowed the audience with their shayari and dialog delivery.

After a small intermission, the ballroom started buzzing again with the first awards for the evening – lucky draw for the Kohinoor diamond give-away and the best dressed male and female awards. The Bollywood Shake dancers were back on stage with another medley of songs – the finale of this medley was Tu Cheez Badi hai Mast Mast. The song marked the entry of Raveena Tandon led by a dholi adding real sense of dhamaka to the ballroom. Ruchika then officially welcomed Raveena by noting how punctual she was as a Bollywood star. In Raveena’s words ‘Everyone who participates is a winner in her eyes’, as she was led off the stage to her seat.

Next up was the formal round where Mrs. Bollywood contestants wore gorgeous bridal clothing by Parinaz boutique as Mauli sang “dil mera muft ka” and “halkat jawaani”. Mr. Bollywood contestants walked to Ricky Martin’s Maria in Ethnic Indian Wear, all choreographed by Raza Hasan.

The final 6 contestants were then announced and each of them got a question from the judges. “If you get a chance, whats the one thing you would change in life” Mauli Dave asked Kiran Gulati while Mahesh Sriram asked Pavana Gadde “whats the biggest challenge you faced in this competition”. On her turn, Raveen Tandon asked Shaneel Mitha “if a genie offers you three wishes, what would those be”. While the judges worked on evaluating the contestant’s answers, Ruchika was back on stage to thank Grand Sponsors Amiralli Dodhia (New York Life), Kaaya Salon & Spa, Kohinoor Diamonds and Parinaz boutique, official decorator Aslam and Abdul from Deco Art, AK Lodi Films and DJ Rizz and Desi Dhoomerz for Light and Sound.

It was time for the results now as nervous contestants got on stage again. Nina Desai won the Mrs. Bollywood 2014 Winner while Pavana Gadde was 1st runner up and Kiran Gulati, the 2nd runner up. Shaneel Mitha won the beautiful smile award, Heena Ali won beautiful skin and Reshu Bagga got the perfect 10. People’s choice award was Ruchi Singh and Mrs. Talented was Dimpy Virk. Amongst the men, Waqas Syed won Mr. Bollywood 2014 Winner while Varun Gupta won the 1st Runner Up and Parminder Singh won the 2nd runners up.

With this a unique show came to an end. No matter what stage in life you are, there’s always a time for dreams to come true. The Mr and Mrs Bollywood Pageant worked exactly on that philosophy. The crown itself is just an end result, we all are winners in this pageant and the pageant of life.